With hearts burdened by sorrow and a community gripped in grief, we mourn the tragic and untimely loss of Lorenzo Davis Jr., a 17-year-old teenager whose life was cut short by a hail of gunfire in Birmingham’s Collegeville community on the night of Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Lorenzo was found unresponsive inside an apartment in the 2900 block of 29th Avenue North, within the public housing complex of Collegeville. Despite the efforts of first responders, Birmingham Fire and Rescue pronounced him dead at the scene at 11:50 p.m. He had been the victim of a barrage of gunfire that shattered the night and claimed yet another young life.
This marks the second killing of a 17-year-old in Birmingham in less than a week, leaving residents in shock, fear, and deep pain. The devastating news is yet another painful reminder of the crisis of youth violence plaguing communities across the country.
Remembering Lorenzo
Lorenzo Davis Jr. was more than a name in a headline. He was a son, a friend, a student, and a teenager with his whole life ahead of him. Known by those closest to him as kind-hearted, smart, and full of potential, Lorenzo had dreams like any other young man—dreams that will now go unrealized. His family describes him as “gentle, respectful, and protective,” someone who had a soft smile and a warm heart.
He was a product of a community that loved him, supported him, and is now left trying to understand how such a promising life could be extinguished in such a violent and senseless way. The ripple effect of his death has been immense, touching classmates, teachers, neighbors, and peers who looked up to him.
A Community in Mourning
The Collegeville neighborhood, like much of Birmingham, has long battled the impacts of gun violence. But the loss of a young person, especially one on the cusp of adulthood, always hits hardest. Residents report being shaken, angry, and tired of living under the constant threat of violence.
“This is becoming too normal. It’s heartbreaking,” said one neighbor who heard the gunfire. “We lost a child—again. And it feels like nothing changes.”
Birmingham police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. No arrests have been made, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to help bring Lorenzo’s killer to justice. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Honoring His Memory
As word of Lorenzo’s passing spread, tributes began to pour in on social media. Friends posted pictures and messages of love, remembering his laugh, his kindness, and his loyalty. Teachers shared how bright he was and how hopeful they were about his future.
A memorial vigil is being planned by family and friends at the Collegeville community center, where candles will be lit, prayers shared, and the community will come together to grieve, support one another, and call for change.
A GoFundMe campaign has also been launched to help Lorenzo’s family with funeral expenses and to honor his memory through scholarships or community programs aimed at reducing youth violence.
A Call for Change
The death of Lorenzo Davis Jr. is not just a personal tragedy—it’s a call to action. A call for safer neighborhoods, more youth outreach, mental health resources, gun control reform, and stronger support systems to keep our young people alive and thriving.
Let us not remember Lorenzo solely for the way he died, but for the life he lived, the potential he carried, and the love he gave. His memory must become a spark for healing, justice, and real solutions to end the cycle of violence that continues to devastate families and communities.
Rest in peace, Lorenzo.
You were loved. You are missed. You will not be forgotten.
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